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When you are in the last few days of pregnancy, it becomes a matter of great discomfort. You feel stifled and want it to get over it. However, you must wait for the right time when you will go into labor naturally. Even medical practitioners suggest that adopting natural means to induce labor is safe and helpful in many cases.

Midwives have been practicing these methods for a very long time and most of them are effective. Some of the common home remedies are listed here and you may try them. While trying any of these, you must also keep in mind that ultimately it is your body and your baby. Unless both of you are ready for labor, it will not happen, whatever you may try. There are many factors, which have to fall in place for the labor to start.

Home Remedies To Induce Labor

Massage And Warm Baths

Regular massage will help you calm down and bring your baby to the correct position required for labor. It will also ease soreness of back muscles and reduce back pain. Taking warm baths will also soothe your frayed nerves, which is very important to induce labor.

However, it is not advisable to stay in bath for a long time as it acts against gravity. Taking warm showers while sitting backwards on a chair can be helpful to bring your baby to the right position for labor.

Nipple Stimulation

You can try gentle rubbing and rolling motions on your nipples with your palm flat against the areola. You will need to do this for fifteen minutes on one breast and then fifteen minutes on the other and then repeat, making the whole process last an hour. Hour-long nipple stimulations, done thrice every day can help. It releases oxytocin, a hormone, which encourage contractions of the uterus.

Pineapple And Other Fruits

Tropical fruits such as papaya, mango, kiwi and pineapple contain enzymes, which helps in inducing mild contractions. Some of the studies suggest that bromelain present in pineapple can help to ripen and soften the cervix. You can eat tinned or fresh pineapple or drink this fruit juice, once you complete 40 weeks of pregnancy.

This is indeed a very delicious way to induce labor. Besides the juice, you can think about pineapple smoothies, which are quite good. Moreover, taking this fruit in plenty can help in keeping your digestive system healthy and regular. Constipation can definitely be a hindrance for going into labor.

Garlic

If you consume enough garlic, your bowel movement will be stimulated resulting in loose stools, which can set off contractions. An empty bowel will create more room for the baby. This will help the baby to shift down in your body. As the baby lowers more, he can induce labor.

Raspberry

Blowing balloons can induce labor. This may sound a bit weird, but if you blow quite a number of balloons, it will create pressure on your abdomen and your uterus. This may help in the contraction of the uterus.

Start having raspberry leaf tea from the thirty-sixth or seventh week of your pregnancy. It helps the uterine muscles to tone up, so that labor may be induced.